Relaxation (Scientific resting)
Sopanam Yoga recommends 5 minutes of rest for each half an hour yoga practice. Each session ends with 20 minutes of relaxation/Yoga Nidra. You will be trained to rest scientifically to achieve maximum alertness. Just as it is important to begin asana session with a period of relaxation it is essential to end in the same way. Proper complete relaxation comes only when the body mind and spirit are at ease. Certain relaxation poses are designed in yoga to achieve the maximum ease. These are practiced before, between and after other postures. These poses ensure proper flow of vital energy within the body. Corpse pose, Crocodile pose and Child pose are the three main resting postures. These poses allow the physical mental and subtle energy to circulate properly. Relaxation at the end of asana practice allows all your body system to relax and assimilate the work that you have done.
Relaxation poses can be practiced at the beginning of your practice session to prepare your mind for asana, and on its own to calm and centre your mind and body when you are feeling tense and tired and need a quick way of reinvigorating yourself. Scientific relaxation is the best medication for all types of sickness. Being effortless physically and mentally is what relaxation, the more you let go the deeper and restful you relaxation will be.
Asana sessions often end with a period of guided relaxation in which you lie in the corpse pose and focus on releasing tension from your body. Corpse pose allows all your body systems to relax and to assimilate the work that you have done. Final relaxation is one of the most important and rewarding postures. It is in this posture you reap the benefits of your asana practice. You experience very deep peace and calmness, while absorbing all the positive energy that you have created around you during practice. Always allow few minutes depending on the duration of practice, counting 5 minutes for every 30 minutes of practice session.